Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Oil Giants Rake in Steep Profits Amid High Energy Prices
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
October 28, 2022

Share

 

Oil companies brought in staggering profits once again as people worldwide struggled with high gasoline and energy prices.

Exxon Mobil broke records with its profits in the third quarter, raking in $19.66 billion in net income. The Irving, Texas company said Friday that it booked $112.07 billion in quarterly revenue, more than double the revenue it received last year during the same period.

Chevron had $11.23 billion in profits, almost reaching the record profits it attained last quarter, and the San Ramon, California, company brought in $66.64 billion in revenues.

The high cost of energy has hit consumers in multiple ways. Americans, especially low-income workers, have struggled with painfully high gasoline prices in recent months, paying more than $4.80 on average for a gallon of regular at the beginning of July, according to AAA. High energy prices also hit manufacturers and retailers, who pass on those costs to customers in the form of high prices for food, clothing and other goods.

Gasoline eased somewhat towards the end of the quarter, but customers were still paying more than $3.79 a gallon of regular, on average, in late September.

Exxon boosted production of gasoline and oil during the quarter to meet growing demand. It had its best-ever refinery output in North America and its highest globally since 2008, the company said. And it produced 3.7 million barrels of oil or oil-equivalent per day, and had record production in the Permian Basin, the most productive oil field in the U.S.

The investments Exxon made, even during the pandemic, enabled the company to increase production to meet the needs of customers, said CEO Darren Woods in a conference call with investors.

“Where others pulled back in the face of uncertainty and a historic slowdown, retreating and retrenching, this company move forward, continuing to invest and build to help meet the demand we see today and position the company for long term success in each of our businesses,” Woods said.

Natural gas prices have also been high, especially as demand for liquefied natural gas has remained strong globally. The U.S. has been increasingly exporting liquefied natural gas to Asia and Europe, especially as supply of Russian natural gas declined after Russia invaded Ukraine and prices skyrocketed. Woods listed inventory concerns as one of the reasons American natural gas prices rose by 15% during the quarter.

Oil prices were initially high during the quarter but fell gradually. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude was selling for more than $100 when the quarter began in July but was selling for closer to $80 at the end of September. Even so, diesel prices remain high, according to AAA, which affects delivery costs and raises prices for all sorts of consumer goods.

To help meet growing demand, Exxon is expanding its oil refinery in Beaumont, Texas and expects the additional refined product to become available in early 2023.

Exxon’s refining businesses was the star performer during the quarter, said Peter McNally, global sector lead at Third Bridge, in a note to investors. “While some of the political rhetoric cooled during the quarter, investment in the company’s fuel manufacturing segment heated up along with the profits,” McNally said.

American oil companies aren’t the only ones benefiting from high energy prices. European energy giants Shell and TotalEnergies reported huge profits Thursday. That fueled calls to tax the profits of energy producers which have benefited from high oil and natural gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even as Europe heads into winter during an energy crisis.

Shares of Exxon Mobil added about 2% in midday trading, while Chevron added less than 1%.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Announces 2024 Graduate Deans’ Medalists

DON'T MISS

Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump

DON'T MISS

New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority

DON'T MISS

At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign

DON'T MISS

FUSD Trustees Name Misty Her as Interim Superintendent. National Search Yet to Start

DON'T MISS

Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties

DON'T MISS

Assemblymember Soria Dodges Questions About Defamation Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault

DON'T MISS

Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India

DON'T MISS

Three Arrested for Trespassing, Posting Flyers at Fresno Synagogue and Church

UP NEXT

Google, Justice Department Make Final Arguments About Whether Search Engine is a Monopoly

UP NEXT

US Employers Scaled Back Hiring in April. How That Could Let the Fed Cut Interest Rates

UP NEXT

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

UP NEXT

Peloton Cutting About 400 Jobs Worldwide; CEO McCarthy Stepping Down

UP NEXT

Federal Reserve Says Interest Rates Will Stay at Two-Decade High Until Inflation Further Cools

UP NEXT

Trump Awarded 36 Million More Trump Media Shares Worth $1.8 Billion

UP NEXT

US Job Openings Dip to Lowest Level in More Than 3 Years

UP NEXT

Tesla’s Stock Leaps on Reports of Chinese Approval for the Company’s Driving Software

UP NEXT

United Auto Workers Reaches Deal With Daimler Truck, Averting Potential Strike in North Carolina

UP NEXT

Blockchain Expert Unravels Misconceptions and Realities of Bitcoin Documentaries

At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign

15 hours ago

FUSD Trustees Name Misty Her as Interim Superintendent. National Search Yet to Start

Local Education /

1 day ago

Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties

1 day ago

Assemblymember Soria Dodges Questions About Defamation Lawsuit

1 day ago

Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault

1 day ago

Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India

1 day ago

Three Arrested for Trespassing, Posting Flyers at Fresno Synagogue and Church

1 day ago

As They Search for a Superintendent, Fresno Trustees Flunk Econ 101

1 day ago

Universities Negotiate End to Protests, Open Dialogue on Investment Policies

1 day ago

Fresno Approves Hydrogen Contract for New Buses. How Far is the Filling Station?

1 day ago

Fresno State Announces 2024 Graduate Deans’ Medalists

Fresno State on Friday announced the 2024 Graduate Deans Medalists. The eight schools and colleges at Fresno State, along with the Division ...

13 hours ago

13 hours ago

Fresno State Announces 2024 Graduate Deans’ Medalists

15 hours ago

Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump

15 hours ago

New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority

15 hours ago

At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign

Local Education /
1 day ago

FUSD Trustees Name Misty Her as Interim Superintendent. National Search Yet to Start

1 day ago

Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties

1 day ago

Assemblymember Soria Dodges Questions About Defamation Lawsuit

1 day ago

Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend